
Secure Your Crypto Journey: Start with Ledger Wallet at Ledger.com/start
What Is Ledger.com/start & Why It Matters
Ledger.com/start is the official onboarding portal for Ledger Wallet—your gateway to safely setting up a Ledger Hardware Wallet and accessing Ledger Live, the industry’s leading software for managing crypto. This centralized hub guides you through critical steps:
- Downloading Ledger Live
- Initializing your device
- Installing firmware updates
- Creating or recovering your Ledger Wallet
- Accessing advanced features like Ledger Staking
Always begin your crypto security journey here to avoid malicious software or phishing threats.
Why Choose a Ledger Hardware Wallet
Unmatched Security for Digital Assets
A Ledger Hardware Wallet stores your private keys offline in a secure chip—also known as cold storage. This means:
- Your keys are never exposed online
- Malware, hacks, and phishing attempts can’t compromise your wallet
- Even if your computer is compromised, your assets remain safe
For anyone serious about crypto, this is the gold standard in security.
Wide Cryptocurrency Support
Ledger supports an extensive range of assets:
- Major Coins: Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Litecoin (LTC), XRP
- Smart-Contract Tokens: ERC-20, SPL, BEP-20 tokens
- DeFi & Layer-2 Assets: Polygon, Avalanche, Optimism, more
- NFT & Collectibles: Manage via integrations with marketplaces
- Staking Assets: Tezos (XTZ), Polkadot (DOT), Cosmos (ATOM), Cardano (ADA), and others—right from your device
Quick Setup & Easy Management
Pairing your Ledger Hardware Wallet with Ledger Live makes operating your crypto assets simple:
- Portfolio overview
- Real-time balance updates
- Transaction history
- Staking dashboard
- App installations and firmware upgrades
All turning complex tasks into one-click management that’s secure and intuitive.
Getting Started at Ledger.com/start
Step 1: Unbox & Inspect Your Ledger Device
Ensure your box is sealed and hasn't been tampered with. Remove plastic lids and protective stickers before opening, and inspect for signs of damage.
Ledger.com/start includes a video walkthrough of this process to help you verify device integrity.
Step 2: Download Ledger Live
Visit Ledger.com/start, choose your platform (Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android), and download the official Ledger Live app.
- Avoid third-party download links
- Verify file signatures if prompted
Ledger provides a checksum system to ensure you download authentic software.
Step 3: Set Up Your Device
- Connect your Ledger to your USB port or phone.
- On-screen prompts guide you to:
- Download and install the latest firmware
- Choose a 4-8 digit PIN
- Write down the 24‑word recovery phrase
Store this phrase in a secure, offline location—like a fireproof safe or metal seed backup kit. Never store it digitally.
Step 4: Install Apps via Ledger Live
Ledger uses an App Catalog to manage blockchain-specific operations. Within Ledger Live:
- Choose your asset (e.g., Ethereum, Polkadot)
- Install the required app
- Sign transactions directly on your device, ensuring no one else can approve without your physical input
This step gives you authoritative control and reduces remote attack risks.
Ledger Live Overview
Dashboard & Portfolio Insights
Upon configuration, Ledger Live opens to the Dashboard, which displays:
- Total portfolio value
- Recent transactions
- Staking rewards overview
- Device status alerts (e.g., firmware updates)
This keeps you informed with a glance.
Send & Receive Crypto Safely
Choose the “Send” or “Receive” tab in Ledger Live:
- For Receive, your wallet shows the address on the hardware device—cross‑verified to prevent tampering
- For Send, you enter recipient details, then confirm transaction details on device before signing
Your Ledger shows the full transaction details—no blind confirmations.
Staking & Earning with Ledger
Ledger Staking allows you to earn passive income from assets like XTZ, DOT, ADA, and ATOM directly through Ledger Live. The process:
- Choose an asset in Ledger Live
- Click “Start Staking”
- Select a validator (Ledger offers recommended lists or advanced filter options)
- Authorize on your Ledger device
Your assets remain in cold storage throughout staking—no custodial risk, no hacking exposure.
App Management & Firmware Updates
Within Ledger Live:
- Visit “Manager” tab
- Install or update apps for multiple blockchains
- Update firmware to ensure ongoing protection
Ledger firmware updates are cryptographically signed and verified by the device itself.
Security Essentials: Best Practices
Always Use Official Sources
Access Ledger.com/start and download Ledger Live only from the official website. Third-party apps can contain malware.
Secure Your Recovery Phrase
Never store your recovery phrase digitally or share with anyone. Ledger support will never ask you to provide it. Loss or exposure = loss of funds.
Enable Device Passphrase
A passphrase is an optional 25th word that creates a hidden wallet. Even if others know your PIN and seed, your passphrase-secured wallet stays hidden.
Keep Firmware & App Versions Updated
Updates bring security patches and new features. Ledger Live reminds you when your device requires firmware updates.
Against Phishing
Always check for HTTPS, verify URL paths, and avoid interacting via email links. Ledger will never send you unsolicited prompts to connect or enter your recovery phrase.
Support & Troubleshooting
Common Issues & Fixes
- Device not detected? Use a different USB port or cable
- Ledger Live won’t open? Check security settings or antivirus
- Firmware update fails? Close other apps and retry via Recovery Mode
- Staking delays? Validator queues or lock‑up rules may apply—Ledger Live shows detailed info
Ledger Support offers articles, step-by-step guides, and community forums for assistance.
Why Ledger? Trusted by Millions
Layered Hardware Security
Ledger devices incorporate CC EAL5+ secure element chips and BOLOS OS, providing bank-grade defense.
Open Source Transparency
Ledger’s GitHub repositories are public. The broader crypto community audits critical code, reducing trust-on-authority issues.
Multi-Asset & Multi‑Platform Support
Supports 5,800+ cryptocurrencies across desktop, mobile, and web. Use with Binance, DeFi apps, MetaMask, and more.
Rewards Without Risk
Ledger solves the staking puzzle: earn from networks like ADA or DOT while keeping your assets offline—no custodial compromises.
Ongoing Updates & Feature Expansion
Ledger continuously innovates: multi-account layouts, native swap integration, NFT management, and even Layer‑2 rollup support.
Final Thoughts: Control, Security, and Growth with Ledger
Securing your cryptocurrency starts with the right setup: Visit Ledger.com/start, download Ledger Live, configure your Ledger Hardware Wallet, and take advantage of powerful features like Ledger Staking.